Apparatus for actuating the starting and arresting devices of electrostatic copying machines

ABSTRACT

An electrostatic copying machine wherein the selector wheel is rotatable to a number of different positions to thereby select the number of copies to be made from an original and wherein the switch which starts the copying machine is actuated in response to depression of a knob which further serves to rotate the selector wheel by a step if the selector wheel is not rotated by hand. The knob can move a pawl which rotates a ratchet wheel stepwise, and the ratchet wheel can rotate the selector wheel through a pin-and-slot coupling which allows the ratchet wheel to rotate by a step relative to the selector wheel or vice versa. This insures that the selector wheel is not rotated in response to a first depression of the knob but is rotated in response to each subsequent depression of the knob. The selector wheel is reset to a starting position in a stepwise fashion by a second ratchet and pawl assembly which is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder in response to completion of successive copies.

[22] Filed:

United States Patent Ettelbriick et al.

[73] Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft,

Leverkusen, Germany Nov. 9, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 414,595

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. l 1, 1972 Germany 2255455 [52] US. Cl 355/14, 235/132 A, 355/8 [51] Int. Cl G03g 15/00 [58] Field of Search 355/14, 8, 11,3 R, 23-26, 355/81, 82; 235/l32 R, 132 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,358,570 l2/l967 Morrill et al 355/ll X 3,659,084 4/l972 Engel et al. 235/132 R Mar. 25, 1975 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT An electrostatic copying machine wherein the selector wheel is rotatable to a number of different positions to thereby select the number of copies to be made from an original and wherein the switch which starts the copying machine is actuated in response to depression of a knob'which further serves to rotate the selector wheel by a step if the selector wheel is not rotated by hand. The knob can move a pawl which rotates a ratchet wheel stepwise, and the ratchet wheel can rotate the selector wheel through a pin-and-slot coupling which allows the ratchet wheel to rotate by a step relative to the selector wheel or vice versa. This insures that the selector wheel is not rotated in response to a first depression of the knob but is rotated in response to each subsequent depression of the knob. The selector wheel is reset to a starting position in a stepwise fashion by a second ratchet and pawl assembly which is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder in response to completion of successive copies.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING THE STARTING AND ARRESTING DEVICES OF ELECTROSTATIC COPYING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to copying machines in general, and more particularly to improvements in electrostatic copying machines wherein the number of copies or prints to be made from originals can be selected in advance and at the will of the operator.

It is already known to provide an electrostatic copying machine with a starting device which is actuated to initiate the making of copies and with an arresting device which is actuated or deactivated upon completion of a desired number of copies. lt is also known to provide such machines with selector means for selecting in advance the number of copies which the machine is to make from a given original. It is further known'to construct the selector means in such a way that it isautomatically reset to zero upon completion of the last copy of a desired number of copies. It is equally known to provide the copying machine with a depressible or otherwise movable actuating member (e.g., a knob) which is manipulated by the operator in order to actuate the starting device for the making of a single copy, as well as to repeatedly manipulate the knob if the operator wishes the machine to furnish two or more copies. Thus, the knob must be manipulated to initiate the making of copies, and the selector means can be actuated when the user wishes to make two or more copies.

in certain presently known copying machines, the selector means comprises a rotary member in the form of a number wheel which can be indexed by an electromagnet in response to each manipulation of the knob. Another electromagnet is used to reset the rotary member upon completion of the marking of each of'a series of identical copies. Such mode of indexing and resetting the rotary member is rather expensive. Moreover, when the rotary member is indexed by hand to select a desired number of copies to be made from a given original, it must be set to a position corresponding to the n-l copies (wherein n is the desired number of copies) because the rotary member is indexed by a step in automatic response to manipulation of the aforementioned knob which actuates the starting device. Reference may be had to US. Pat. No. 3,659,084 granted Apr. 25, 1972, to Engel et al. This is undesirable because an operator is likely to forget that the setting of the rotary member should be such as to indicate n-l copies so that the copying machine often turns out more copies than necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an electrostatic copying machine with novel and improved means which serves to select the number of copies to be made from originals and wherein a rotary selector member which can be moved to a number of different positions to thereby determine in advance the number of copies to be made from an original can be immediately moved to that position which corresponds to the selected number of copies in spite of the fact that the making of copies is initiated by a control device which must be actuated to cause the copying machine to make a copy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved operative connection between the selector member and the actuating means of an electrostatic copying machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved resetting means for the selector member of an electrostatic copying machine.

An additional object of the invention it to provide in an electrostatic copying machine a mechanism which can be actuated to select the number of copies to be made from an original and which is not only simpler but also more rugged, more reliable and less expensive than heretofore known mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the just outlined character which allows for the making of one or more copies from a given original and which is less likely to be improperly manipulated than heretofore known mechanisms.

The invention is embodied in an electrostatic copying machine having first and second control means (e.g., first and second microswitches) which are respectively operable to start and terminate the making of copies from an original, selector switch means which perferably includes a rotary member and is movable from a starting or zero position to a plurality of second positions in each of which the copying machine is set to make a different number of copies from a given original, first indexing means (e.g., a toothed, serrated or knurled portion at the periphery of the aforementioned rotary member) which can be actuated to move the selector means to a selected second position, second in dexing means (preferably including a ratchet and pawl assembly) for moving the selector means step-by-step to a selected second position and including actuating means (e.g., a knob or button) for operating the first control means in response to each stepwise movement of the selector means away from the starting position, means for resetting the selector means step-by-step toward the starting position in response to the making of copies, and means for operatingthe second control means in response to completion of return movement of the selector means to its starting position to thus arrest the copying machine.

The second indexing means preferably further comprises a second rotary member (e.g., the aforementioned ratchet) which is indexible by the actuating means in stepwise fashion, and means for coupling the second rotary member with the rotary member of the selector means in such a way that one of these rotary members is movable angularly by a single step with respect to the other rotary member or vice versa. Such coupling means renders it possible to move the selector means to that second position which corresponds to the desired number of copies in spite of the fact that the actuating means must be manipulated in order to operate the first control means and thereby causes the second rotary member to turn. The coupling means insures that the second rotary member can turn relative to the rotary member of the selector means when the copying machine is started, and that the rotary member of the selector means can turn with respect to the second rotary member in response to first actuation of the resetting means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus which serves to actuate the start and stop switches of an electrostatic copying machine and is constructed and assembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view of a modified apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an electric switch which forms part of the modified apparatus and two copy counters which are controlled by the switch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a apparatus which is used to operate a starting or first control device 9 and an arresting or second control device 29 of an electrostatic copying machine. The apparatus comprises a shaft 1 which is mounted in a stationary housing or frame H of the copying machine andis connected with a rotary member here shown as a ratchet wheel 2 cooperating with a pawl 3. The pawl is pivotally connected to a lever 6 which is pivotable in the housing H, as at 5, and is provided with a depressible actuating member or knob 7. The free end portion of the lever 6 is bent, as at 6a, and can displace a movable portion 8 of the first control device 9 which is shown in the form of a microswitch. A spring 4 is connected between the lever 6 and a post 3a on the pawl 3 to urge the pallet 3b of the pawl 3 against the adjacent teeth 2A of the ratchet wheel 2. When the knob 7 is depressed in the direction indicated by arrow, the shaft 1 is rotated by the ratchet wheel 2 by a step, i.e., through ardistance corresponding to the width of a tooth 2A. The direction in which the ratchet wheel 2 can rotate the shaft 1 is indicated by an arrow A. Each depression of the knob 7 results in an operation of the first control device 9 whereby the copying machine prepares a print from an original in a manner not forming part of the present invention.

The lever 6 is biased clockwise by a spring 45 which is attached to a fixed post 46. The spring 45 tends to maintain the lever 6 in abutment with a stop 47. When the lever 6 abuts against the stop 47, the inclined cam face of the pallet 3b bears against a stop 48 under the action of the spring 4 so that the pallet 3b is disengaged from the teeth 2A. Thus, the pallet 3b engages'and indexes the ratchet wheel 2 only in response to depression of the knob 7. This enables wheel 2 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when the lever 6 abuts against the stop 47.

The front end face of the ratchet wheel 2 is formed with an annulus of equidistant detent notches 2a, one for each of the teeth 2A plus three additional notches. A-yieldable detent member 10, here shown as a leaf spring, is mounted in the'housing H and has a projection 11 which enters a notch whenever the ratchet wheel 2 is rotated through a distance corresponding to that between the centers of two neighboring notches 2a. The ratchet wheel 2 and the pawl 3 constitute a simple but reliable indexing mechanism which can rotate the shaft 1 in stepwise fashion.

The shaft 1 rotatably supports a relatively large rotary member here shown as a selector wheel or'number wheel 12 having a peripheral surface-provided with a scale 12a including a series of numerals starting with zero. The selector wheel 12 is located at a level below the opening or window 13a of a plate-like cover 13 forming part of the housing H and having at its outer side an index or markerv 13b. When the selector wheel 12 is indexed by hand to place a selected symbol of its scale 12a into register with the index 13b, the copying machine is set to make as many copies as indicated by the symbol which registers with the index 13);. The window 13a is preferably large enough to afford access to a portion of a corrugated, toothed, knurled or serrated part 12b of the peripheral surface of the selector wheel 12 so that the operator can conveniently turn the wheel 12 in order to move a selected symbol of the scale 12a into alignment with the index 13b. The corrugated part 12b constitutes a separate indexing means which can rotate the selector wheel 12 from the starting position of FIG. 1 to a selected one of a plurality of second positions independently of the indexing means including the ratchet and pawl assembly 2, 3 and the knob 7.

The selector wheel 12 is rigid with a sleeve 14 which extends therefrom in a direction away from the ratchet wheel 2 and carries at its outer end (remote from the wheel 12) a rotary member or ratchet wheel 15 forming part of a resetting mechanism for the selector wheel 12. The sleeve 14 is rotatable on the shaft 1 and the ratchet wheel 15 cooperates with a resetting pawl 17 which is articulately connected to a lever 16, the latter being pivotally secured to the housing H. A helical spring 18 operates between the pawl 17 and the lever 16 and tends to bias the pallet of the pawl 17 against the teeth 15A of the ratchet wheel 15.

A yieldable detent device which serves to prevent accidental turning of the ratchet wheel 15 and selector wheel 12 comprises a leaf spring 19 which is secured to the housing H and carries at its lower end a projection 20 which enters one of several equidistant notches 15a at that side of the ratchet wheel 15 which faces away from the selector wheel 12. y

The lever 16 is biased by a helical spring 44 which maintains its projection or lobe 16a in abutment with the piston rod 21 of a fluid-operated motor here shown as a pneumatic cylinder 22. The chamber of the cylinder 22 can receive compressed gaseoug fluid (e.g., air) through a hose 23 forming part ofa braking device for the customary carriage of the copying machine. The carriage supports the originals and is movable back and forth at an exposure station which is accessible for insertion and removal of originals. The arrangement is such that the brake cylinder of the device which decelerates the return movement of the carriage transmits to the cylinder 22 an impulse via hose 23 whereby the piston rod 21 pivots the lever 16 clockwise and the pawl 17 rotates the ratchet wheel 15 clockwise (see the arrow B).

The apparatus comprises a second stop 48 (not I shown) which cooperates with a cam face on the pallet i'WlSC or counterclockwise against the opposition of the leaf spring 19. 1

The coupling means for transmitting motion between the ratchet wheel 2 and the selector wheel 12 comprises a post or pin 24 which is rigid with the ratchet wheel 2, and a slot 24A defined by two plate-like members 25, 26 secured to the wheel 12. The distance between the members 25, 26 is such that the ratchet wheel 2 can be rotated relative to the selector wheel 12 by a step, or vice versa.

The selector wheel 12 is further provided with a post 27 constituting an actuating means or trip for the movable portion 28 of the second control device 29. The latter is a microswitch which is assumed to be open when the index 13b registers with the zero symbol on the scale 12a. When the microswitch 29 is open, the copying machine is at a standstill.

The operation:

When a copying operation is completed, the parts assume the positions shown in FIG. 1 except that the pawls 3, 17 are respectively disengaged from the ratchet wheels 2, 15. Thus, the index 13b of the cover 13 registers with the zero symbol of the scale 12a on the selector wheel 12 so that the second control device or microswitch 29 is open because its movable portion 28 is held in the solid-line position by the post 27 of the selector wheel 12.

If the operator wishes to make a copy of an original which is placed onto the aforementioned carriage, the actuating knob 7 is depressed so that the portion 6a of the lever 6 moves the portion 8 of the first control device 9 from the solid-line to the broken-line position of FIG. 1. At the same time, the lever 6 causes the pawl 3 to advance the ratchet wheel 2 by a step (arrow A). The post or pin 24 of the ratchet wheel 2 turns the selector wheel 12 counterclockwise through the medium of the plate-like member 25 so that the symbol l on the scale 12a moves into register with the index 13b of the cover 13. As the selector wheel 12 turns anticlockwise, the post 27 moves to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, and allows the movable portion 28 of the second control device 29 to assume the broken-line position of FIG. 1. This enables the copying machine to proceed with the making of a print. Such operation involves a forward and a return movement of the aforementioned carriage. During return movement of the carriage, the brake cylinder for the carriage transmits an impulse via hose 23 so that the piston rod 21 of the pneumatic cylinder 22 pivots the lever 16 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, and the pawl 17 turns the resetting ratchet wheel in a clockwise direction (arrow B) by a full step corresponding to the distance between two neighboring symbols on the scale 12a. This returns the selector wheel 12 to the starting position shown in FIG. 1 and the post 27 allows the control device 29 to arrest the copying machine.

If the operator wishes to make two or more copies of a given original, the knob 7 is depressed twice or more than twice so as to rotate the ratchet wheel 2 through an angle which is a multiple of the angle between the centers of two neighboring detent notches 2a. The post or pin 24 again turns the selector wheel 12 so that the symbol which is in register with the index 13b indicates the selected number of copies. The post 27 moves away from the movable portion 28 of the control device 29 and the latter opens again only upon completion of the last copy, i.e., when the zero symbol of the scale 12a returns into register with the index 13b. The cylinder 22 actuates the resetting pawl 17 upon completion of each individual copy so that the return movement of the selector wheel 12 to the starting position of FIG. 1 takes place stepwise, the same as the stepwise move ment from such starting position in response to repeated depression of the knob 7.

The maximum number of copies which can be made from a given original is determined by the number of teeth 2A on the ratchet wheel 2. It will be noted that the periphery of the ratchet wheel 2 is formed with a toothless gap 2B which insures that repeated depression of the knob 7 can result in indexing of the selector wheel 12 only until the pallet 3b of the pawl 3 enters the gap 3B. A similar toothless gap 158 is provided on the resetting ratchet wheel 15. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the width ofthe gap 2B or 158 equals the combined width of three teeth 2A or 15A, as considered in the circumferential direction of the respective ratchet wheel.

If the operator decides to select the desired number of copies directly actuating the selector wheel 12 rather than by repeatedly depressing the knob 7 (this is particularly desirable when the user wishes to make a relatively large number of copies from a given original), the finger of the operator engages the knurled portion 12b behind the window 13a and rotates the selector wheel 12 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGpl. The post 27 allows the control device 29 to close as soon as the selector wheel 12 is moved from the starting position of FIG. 1. Since the post or pin 24 normally engages the plate-like member 25, the selector wheel 12 can rotate by one step before the plate-like member 26 engages and entrains the post or pin 24 to thereby rotate the ratchet wheel 2 in the direction indicated by arrow A. During such rotation of the ratchet wheel 2, the pallet 3b of the pawl 3 is disengaged from the teeth 2A.

The purpose of the coupling including the pin-andslot connection 24, 24A between the wheels 2 and 12 will be readily appreciated by considering that the ratchet wheel 2 rotates by a step whenever the knob 7 is depressed to start a printing operation. Thus, when the selector wheel 12 has been rotated by hand and the user thereupon depresses the knob 7 to start the copying machine, the ratchet wheel 2 rotates by a step in response to downward movement of the pawl 3 but the selector wheel 12 remains at a standstill because the post or pin 24 merely moves in the slot 24A so as to travel from the plate-like member 26 back toward the plate-like member 25. This insures that the copying machine will make that number of prints which has been selected by the wheel 12. By way of example, if the operator moves the symbol 15 of the scale into register with the index 13b, the selector wheel 12 is rotated by 15 increments or steps but the ratchet wheel 2 is rotated by 14 increments only. The ratchet wheel 2 is thereupon rotated by an additional incre ment in response to depression of the knob 7 to start the copying machine.

The control device 9 is combined with a suitable mechanical holding device of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,659,084 to Engel et al., or with a suitable relay, which insures that the circuit of the copying machine remains completed after the knob 7 is released, i.e., after the lever 6 returns into engagement with the stop 47 under the action of the spring 45. The circuit opens when the movable portion 28 of the control device 29 is allowed to reassume the solid-line position of FIG. 1. Reference may also be had to FIG. 8 of British Pat. No.

1,262,329 which discloses switches similar to the control devices 8 and 29. g

The brake cylinder which supplies fluid to the cylinder 22 acts not unlike the resilient bar 144 in the apparatus ofU.S. Pat. No. 3,445,160 granted May 20, 1969, to Holland. Such brake cylinder resembles somewhat shock absorbers used in suspension systems for the frames of automotive vehicles.

If desired, the pawl 17 can be actuated by an electromagnet which is energized in response to the making of copies and thereby indexes the ratchet wheel by a step.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a modified apparatus wherein all such parts which are identical with or clearly analogous to the corresponding parts of the aforedescribed apparatus are denoted by similar reference characters. The shaft 1 rotatably supports a resetting ratchet wheel 15, a selector wheel or number wheel 12, and a rotary member here shown as a segment-shaped wheel 30 having a post 41 serving to displace the movable portion 42 of a further microswitch 43. The resetting ratchet wheel 15 is rigid with the selector wheel 12 and is located between the wheels 12 and 30. The width of the resetting pawl 17 is such that its pallet can engage at the same time a tooth 15A of the ratchet wheel 15 as well as the nearest tooth 30A of the wheel 30.

The resetting wheel 15 is further provided with an entraining projection 31 which extends toward the wheel 30 and is provided with two surfaces 31a, 31b which are inclined with respect to each other. The surface 31a normally abuts against a follower 32 which extends in parallelism with the axis of the ratchet wheel 15 and is secured to the free end of a leaf spring 33 on the ratchet wheel 30. When the selector wheel 12 is indexed by hand (arrow A), the ratchet wheel 15 entrains the wheel 30 in the same direction through the medium of parts 31, 32, 33. The follower 32 then moves against a suitably inclined face 34a provided on a displacing cam 34 which is removably and/or adjustably mounted in the housing by screws 35, 36. The fact 34a causes the follower 32 to become disengaged from the entraining projection 31 in response to deformation of the leaf spring 33. The screws 35, 36 are removed to allow for replacement of the cam 34 with a differently configurated and/or dimensioned cam when the operator wishes to advance or delay the disengagement of the follower 32 from the entraining projection 32 in response to anticlockwise rotation of the selector wheel 12.

FIG. 3 shows that the microswitch 43 is connected between two copy counters 39 and 40 so that it can connect the counter 39 or 40 with the terminals 37, 38 of a source of electrical energy. When the movable portion 42 of the microswitch 43 assumes the position shown in FIG. 3, the circuit of the counter 40 is completed and the circuit of the counter 39 is open. Each of these counters counts the number of copies which are being made'by the machine embodying the structure of FIGS. 2 and 3. The provision of two counters is particularly desirable in rented copying machines wherein a certain number of copies can be prepared at a relatively high first cost and the additional copies at a relatively low second cost. Thus, the counter 40 can count the number of copies which are to be made in response to starting of the machine, and the counter 39 is started to count additional copies when the total number of copies to be made from an original exceeds a predetermined number agreed upon between the organization renting the machine and the party in whose office or shop the copying machine is being put to use.

The operation of the apparatus including the structure of FIGS. 2 and 3 is as follows:

If the operator decides to rotate the selector wheel 12 in the direction indicated by arrow A, the parts 31, 32, 33 entrain the wheel 30 until the follower 32 reaches the face 34a of the cam 34 and causes the leaf spring 33 to flex in the direction indicated by an arrow D. This causes the follower 32 to become disengaged from the surface 31a of the entraining projection 31 so that the wheel 30 comes to a standstill while the wheel 12 continues to rotate (arrow A) in orderto move a selected symbol of its scale 12a into register with the index 13b. Thus, the extent of angular displacement of the wheel 30 with the selector wheel 12 depends exclusively on the position of the cam face 34a with respect to the path of movement of the follower 32. Consequently, the position of the cam 34 determines the number of copies which are counted by the counter 39 or 40.

Once the copying machine begins to make copies, the pawl 17 acts on the wheels 15, 30 upon completion of successive copies and causes the follower 32 to become disengaged from the face 34a of the cam 34. The pawl 17 can rotate the wheel 30 only through a certain angle, namely, to move the post 41 into engagement with the movable portion 42 of the microswitch 43 so that the portion 42 assumes the solid-line position of FIG. 2 and connects the terminals 37, 38 with the counter 40 which counts the number of cheaper copies. The ratchet wheel 15 continues to rotate in response to the making of additional copies until the selector wheel 12 returns to the starting position. During the last stage of return movement of the wheel 12, the surface 31b of the entraining projection 31 moves past the follower 32 and thereupon allows the followers 32 to move to the position of FIG. 2 (adjacent to the surface 31a) so that the apparatus is ready to rotate the wheel 30 anticlockwise in response to anticlockwise rotation of the selector wheel 12, either by rotating the wheel 12 or by indexing the wheel 12 through the medium of the ratchet wheel 2 and pawl 3 (not shown in FIG. 2). The ratchet wheel 2 rotates the wheel 30 through the medium of the selector wheel 12 if the knob 7 (not shown) is actuated by the user to select the number of copies to be made from an original.

. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In an electrostatic copying machine, a combination comprising first and second control means respectively operable to start and terminate the making of copies from originals; selector means movable from a starting position to a plurality of second positions in each of which the machine is set to make a different number of copies from a given original; first indexing means for moving said selector means to a selected sec- 9 ond position; second indexing means for moving said selector means stepwise to a selected second position, including actuating means for operating said first control means in response to each stepwise movement of said selector means under the action of said second indexing means; means for resetting said selector means stepwise toward said starting position in response to the making of copies; and means for operating said second control means in response to movement of said selector means back to said starting position.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises a first rotary member which is rotatable between said positions thereof and said second indexing means further comprises a second rotary member which is indexible step-by-step by said actuating means and means for coupling said first and second rotary members so that one of said members is movable angularly by a single step with respect to the other rotary member or vice versa.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said second rotary member is coaxial with said first rotary member and said means for coupling comprises a pin and slot connection between said rotary members.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for operating said second controlmeans is provided on said selector means. control means 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising detent means for yieldably holding said selector means in any of said positions thereof.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second indexing means further comprises a rotary member and further comprising detent means for yieldably holding said rotary member against rotation.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises a first rotary member and said resetting means comprises a second rotary member arranged to rotate with said first rotary member and means for rotating said second rotary membery by a step in response to the making of a copy and in a direction to rotate said first rotary member toward said starting position.

8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said means for rotating said second rotary member comprises a fluid-operated motor.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said second rotary member is a ratchet wheel and said resetting means further comprises a pawl movable into and from torque-transmitting engagement with said ratchet wheel to thereby rotate said ratchet wheel by a step,

said motor including a cylinder and a piston rod which is displaced to engage said pawl with said ratchet wheel in response to completion of a copy.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first copy counter, a second copy counter. a source of electrical energy, a switch movable between first and second positions in which said source is respectively connected with said first and second copy counters, and means for moving said switch from said first to said second position in response to a predetermined number of stepwise movement of said selector means from a second position toward said starting position.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said selector means comprises a first rotary member having entraining means and said means for moving said switch comprises a second rotary member having follower means extending into the path of movement of said entraining means while said first rotary member is located in said starting position, said means for moving said switch further comprising means for disengaging said follower means from said entraining means in response to movement of said first rotary member to or beyond a predetermined second position.

12. A combination as defined in claim 11, further comprising means for adjustably mounting said disengaging means in the path of movement of said follower means with said entraining means.

13. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said follower means comprises a deformable portion and said displacing means comprises a cam arranged to deform said portion of said follower means and to thereby disengage said follower means from said entraining means in response to movement of said first rotary member to or beyond said predetermined second position.

14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said cam is detachably mounted in the path of movement of said follower means.

15. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said resetting means comprises a third rotary member coaxial with said first and second rotary members and means for rotating said rotary members stepwise in a direction to move said first rotary members toward said starting position, and means for rotating comprising a pawl movable into engagement with said second and third rotary members in response to completion of successive copies. 

1. In an electrostatic copying machine, a combination comprising first and second control means respectively operable to start and terminate the making of copies from originals; selector means movable from a starting position to a plurality of second positions in each of which the machine is set to make a different number of copies from a given original; first indexing means for moving said selector means to a selected second position; second indexing means for moving said selector means stepwise to a selected second position, including actuating means for operating said first control means in response to each stepwise movement of said selector means under the action of said second indexing means; means for resetting said selector means stepwise toward said starting position in response to the making of copies; and means for operating said second control means in response to movement of said selector means back to said starting position.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises a first rotary member which is rotatable between said positions thereof and said second indexing means further comprises a second rotary member which is indexible step-by-step by said actuating means and means for coupling said first and second rotary members so that one of said members is movable angularly by a single step with respect to the other rotary member or vice versa.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said second rotary member is coaxial with said first rotary member and said means for coupling comprises a pin and slot connection between said rotary members.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for operating said second controlmeans is provided on said selector means. control means
 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising detent means for yieldably holding said selector means in any of said positions thereof.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second indexing means further comprises a rotary member and further comprising detent means for yieldably holding said rotary member against rotation.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises a first rotary member and said resetting means comprises a second rotary member arranged to rotate with said first rotary member and means for rotating said second rotary membery by a step in response to the making of a copy and in a direction to rotate said first rotary member toward said starting position.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said means for rotating said second rotary member comprises a fluid-operated motor.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said second rotary member is a ratchet wheel and said resetting means further comprises a pawl movable into and from torque-transmitting engagement with said ratchet wheel to thereby rotate said rAtchet wheel by a step, said motor including a cylinder and a piston rod which is displaced to engage said pawl with said ratchet wheel in response to completion of a copy.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first copy counter, a second copy counter, a source of electrical energy, a switch movable between first and second positions in which said source is respectively connected with said first and second copy counters, and means for moving said switch from said first to said second position in response to a predetermined number of stepwise movement of said selector means from a second position toward said starting position.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said selector means comprises a first rotary member having entraining means and said means for moving said switch comprises a second rotary member having follower means extending into the path of movement of said entraining means while said first rotary member is located in said starting position, said means for moving said switch further comprising means for disengaging said follower means from said entraining means in response to movement of said first rotary member to or beyond a predetermined second position.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 11, further comprising means for adjustably mounting said disengaging means in the path of movement of said follower means with said entraining means.
 13. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said follower means comprises a deformable portion and said displacing means comprises a cam arranged to deform said portion of said follower means and to thereby disengage said follower means from said entraining means in response to movement of said first rotary member to or beyond said predetermined second position.
 14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said cam is detachably mounted in the path of movement of said follower means.
 15. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said resetting means comprises a third rotary member coaxial with said first and second rotary members and means for rotating said rotary members stepwise in a direction to move said first rotary members toward said starting position, and means for rotating comprising a pawl movable into engagement with said second and third rotary members in response to completion of successive copies. 